Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was detained by federal police on Saturday, ending months of house arrest as he appeals his Supreme Court conviction for attacks on Brazil’s democracy, Reuters reported on Sunday, citing his lawyer.
Bolsonaro’s lawyer Celso Vilardi did not give a reason for his detention. A person familiar with the matter said this was a precautionary measure related to his house arrest conditions.
A federal police representative confirmed Saturday morning that Bolsonaro was taking entrance exams in Brasilia.
The former right-wing leader was sentenced in September to 27 years and three months in prison for plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Mr Bolsonaro was identified as the leader and main beneficiary of the plot to prevent Mr Lula from becoming president in 2023.
However, the court has not yet issued a final arrest order in the case as Bolsonaro has not completed the appeal process.
Bolsonaro has been under strict house arrest for more than 100 days for violating precautionary measures in a separate case after he allegedly appealed for U.S. intervention to halt criminal proceedings against him.
US President Donald Trump, who was friends with Bolsonaro while he was in office, called the incident a “witch hunt.”
He imposed sanctions on Mr. Moraes and Mr. Moraes and imposed 50% tariffs on some Brazilian goods imported from the United States, which he began lifting this month.
While under house arrest, Bolsonaro was prohibited from using social media but received visits from political allies. His defense is expected to ask for permission to serve his sentence under house arrest, citing several health problems.
The former president, who was stabbed in the abdomen while campaigning in 2018, has a history of hospitalizations and surgeries related to attacks.
Bolsonaro was previously barred from running until 2030 after Brazil’s electoral court found him guilty of abusing his power during his 2022 re-election campaign.